By Nick Beversdorf
Reporter
The Merrill girls started their soccer season with a shut-out loss to Mosinee this past Tuesday with a final score of 2-0. The weather was also markedly terrible, with a light rain/sleet mix and temperatures in the high 30s for most of the game. Head coach Stephanie Nelson described it as being “wet and awful”.
The Bluejays played admirably, however, with the team holding the ball for a longer period of time and goalie Gabby Schegel making two saves in the first half. It is also worth noting that this was the first time the girls have played outside this year.
“It was our first time outside for the year it looked pretty promising,” comments Nelson. “We did a pretty good job possessing the ball, we panicked a little, but all things considering they actually held onto the ball and picked their heads up to look for options. Mosinee out-shot us 25-12, but what that number doesn’t show is that we probably had the ball more than they did; they just had the ball in more opportune places. Before the first goal, Gabby Schegel made two big saves but just couldn’t (and shouldn’t be expected to) make the third save.”
“Our biggest weakness at this point is that we lack the confidence we need because our skills are still coming back,” adds Nelson. “I think that if we work the skills hard and get more comfortable with our new system and teammates we will see the improvement we need to compete well with some of the teams in the Valley.”
Girls soccer have there next invite (weather permitting) today @ Wisconsin Rapids-Lincoln @ 4:30 p.m.